Jaffna University marks 50 years of resilience, excellence!

The University of Jaffna was officially established on October 6, 1974, as the sixth campus of the University of Sri Lanka

Members of the Pioneer Committee (1975-76), which came under the Students’ Council of Jaffna University

The University of Jaffna, located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, has a rich and complex history deeply intertwined with the region’s cultural, social, and political landscape.

The University of Jaffna was officially established on October 6th, 1974, as the sixth campus of the University of Sri Lanka, under the name ‘Jaffna Campus of the University of Sri Lanka.’ The institution began with a few faculties and a limited number of students, focusing primarily on arts and science disciplines.

Our first batch of students, who joined the Jaffna Campus, lobbied the Government which resulted in then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike to consider establishing this campus!
This was in early 1974 and there was an intake of undergraduates to the campuses. Around 130 students who were in the mathematics stream, selected to Moratuwa University (Katubedda Campus then) were informed that due to facility limitations that they would have to wait until next year to enter the University.

The majority of students were frustrated! Then, a small group of students, mainly from Ananda College, Colombo, got together and invited the other students selected to the Katubedda campus, to the University Senate House (now it is University Grants Commission) via a paper advertisement for a discussion. Most of the students responded to this advertisement including students from Jaffna. Then we had to come up with a strategy to influence the policy makers to provide us with University entrance during the same year. At that time there was only one Vice Chancellor as there was only one University and he was the late L.H. Sumanadasa who supported our request, but he was not successful. Then we took up our case in the Parliament through parliamentarians Vasudaeva Nanayakkara and Late Sarath Muthtettugama from our area. After several meetings and discussions then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike decided to open a campus in Jaffna utilising certain school buildings in Jaffna to accommodate the intake. The Government was successful in acquiring buildings from Jaffna College in Waddukotte and Paramesevara College, Tirunelveli. More than 95% of the students of the selected batch agreed to go to Jaffna and the first President (as it’s a campus) was Late Prof K.Kailasapathy. The Jaffna Campus of the University of Sri Lanka was declared open by the then Prime Minister in October 1974. We had the opportunity of becoming the pioneering batch to the Jaffna Campus!

The Jaffna man in his plot of land was seen toiling by 4.30 a.m and I could visit my tutor, lecturer or even the professor by 6.00 a.m

Ready to face a new environment 
The Jaffna I knew was not beyond the famous “night-mail” at that time! Most students of our batch, anxious to gain University degrees, knew no more about, than Jaffna peninsula being “a barren land, listless landscape of sand studded with palmyrah trees”. Nevertheless, I had learnt more of the culture and wealth of educational heritage, industry, diligence and hardworking disposition of those in the Jaffna peninsula. I was ready to face the new environment. It did not take long for all of us from the so-called south to accept the values and the systems of the North.

Hailing from Avissawella I came from a background where my father and mother, both school teachers, lived and worked tirelessly to promote “education” in the broadest sense of the word. I owe it to my nurturing that I matured in thought even in childhood sans phobias of race and religion.

We the few from the south were received initially with doubt, distrust and apprehension by not only our students, but also by the man on the street!. We were “foreigners” but it did not take much time for us to feel like one in a wholesome environment of acceptance, trust and respect for our values.

Talking about the way of life of those in the Jaffna peninsula, it would be difficult not to appreciate the psyche of those hardworking individuals. The man in his plot of land was seen to toil to water his soil by 4.30 a.m. in the morning. I could visit my tutor, lecturer or even the professor by 6.00 a.m. to seek tutorial clarifications.

As our “University” life continued, I was requested by my batch mates to contest for the position of President of the Science Students Union. I was appointed unanimously! Then the day came when I was prompted to contest for the post of the President of the Students Council. If one were to doubt communal harmony, the lasting testimony was that I was elected the first President of the Students Union of the University of Jaffna. This election was in the second year. It must speak volumes of the camaraderie and solidarity we enjoyed to insist that I continued as the President of the Students Council till the last year of my eventful academic career.

There are many who speak of ethnic harmony. Many are the views published in the media about “Rights” of communities. My personal experiences gained by first-hand knowledge of having lived and learnt with diverse minority communities is that they seek not so many “rights” but acceptance as competitors on an even-playing field.

It did not take long for all of us from the so-called south to accept the values and the systems of the North 

In 1979, the Jaffna Campus gained autonomy from the University of Sri Lanka and became the University of Jaffna.

During the 1980s, the university continued to expand its academic offerings.

The impact of the Civil War (1980s-2009), which began in the early 1980s, had a profound impact on the University of Jaffna. Located in a conflict zone, the university faced numerous challenges, including disruptions to academic activities, damage to infrastructure, and the displacement of students and Faculty.

Despite these challenges, the university remained a vital center of education and research in the Northern Province displaying remarkable resilience.

The post-war recovery and development following the end of the civil war in 2009, started with the University of Jaffna embarking on a period of reconstruction and development. Efforts were made to rebuild damaged infrastructure, expand academic programmes, and restore normalcy to campus life.

Research and Innovation is another area the University has been focusing on enhancing its research capabilities, particularly in areas relevant to the region’s needs, such as agriculture, medicine, and social sciences.

Coming back to my experience; the final analysis, the people of Jaffna, from the illustrious academics to the humble industrious farmer, accepted us as humans of the same ilk. They accepted us as humane as those grown-up in the peninsula. It was more than evident that they sought to merge in thought and deed than divide.

I learned that the distinguished Benjamin Disraeli said in the House of Commons as far back as 11th March, 1873, that “A University should be a place of light, liberty as well as learning”.
The University of Jaffna has produced professionals par excellence in various fields and offer their services not only in Sri Lanka but also around the world.

To conclude this article dedicated to Jaffna University on a sentimental note, I must not forget to mention that I found my life’s partner, my beloved wife who too was a member from our batch!

I wish the University of Jaffna prosperity and progress to foster further educational excellence!

(The writer Kingsley Bernard was in the first batch of students who has served Sri Lanka in various capacities holding top positions in public and private sector institutions including multinational corporations, universities, trade chambers and service organizations especially Lions International-306B2 Sri Lanka as its’ District Governor in 2009-2010.Dr Bernard is the incumbent Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Board)